Is There a Dog Leash Law in Lee County (Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach) Florida?

Any owner of a dog or person in possession, charge, custody or control of a dog is prohibited from allowing their dog to become stray or roam at large in or upon any public street, sidewalk, school grounds, in the area of school vehicles, beaches, parks or on the private property of others without the consent of the property owner. “Roaming at large” is defined as any dog not under the restraint, confinement or direct control of its owner or his agent.

Proper “restraint” in Lee County is defined as the restraint of a dog by leash, fence, building, chain, cage, crate or other secure enclosure that prevents the dog from roaming at large. If dogs are restrained exclusively by chain or tether, the chain or tether must be at least ten (10) feet in length, weigh no more than one-eighth (1/8) of the dog’s weight and have swivels on both ends.

“Direct Control” is defined as the immediate and continuous physical control of a dog at all times; such as by means of a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length, cord or chain of sufficient strength to restrain the dog.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.